Fish suppers could have had their chips, Prince warns scientists

The Prince of Wales warned yesterday that fish and chips could soon be off the menu. He told marine scientists in Edinburgh that overfishing could kill off “this peculiarly British tradition”.

“How we harvest the fish has a direct impact on how many are left to catch next time,” he said. “I am delighted that some pioneering fish and chip shop owners are making the connection.”

Addressing the World Fisheries Congress, he poked fun at academics. “I have been trying to point out for many years that there is a direct link between the health of ecosystems and food security,” he said. “But as you cannot obtain a degree in commonsense, not many people were inclined to listen.”